Bibliographical Notices. 321 



iagineus. But, in the case of some of the other species, we commend 

 Mr. Bentham's views to the careful study of the minutely-examining 

 botanist. Aquatics, above all other plants, are liable to variation, 

 and much remains to be learned in the genus Potamogeton concern- 

 ing the effect of stagnant or running, deep or shallow, fresh or 

 brackish water. 



Carex distans includes no less than four others. 



C. arenaria takes in C. intermedia. 



C. axillaris is united (unwillingly, we are sure) to C. Banning- 

 hausiana, a combination against which we strongly protest, as it 

 seems to us that the latter is far more nearly related to C.paniculata. 



Galium uliginosum joins G. Witheringii ; G. pusillum joins G. 

 saxatile ; Salicornia radicans is lost under S. herbacea ; and many 

 more instances might be quoted, but the details are so completely 

 and clearly given in the sixth chapter of the ' Cybele Britannica,' 

 vol. iv., that it is needless to repeat them here. 



Other pairs of species have been treated more tenderly. Valeria- 

 nella carinata continues separate from V. olitoria ; V. auricula from 

 V. dentata. Orchis latifolia is allowed to pass as distinct from 

 O. maculata ; Polygonum Persicaria from P. lapathifolium ; My- 

 osotis sylvatica from M. arvensis. It may be asked, " Why should 

 not these have fared like the former ?" We think that here is only 

 one proof more that there is no means of dividing equidistantly 

 species which are not the links of a linear series, and which are 

 hardly better likened to the knots which join the meshes of a net. 

 Might we not say that they may more resemble variously intersecting 

 lines of dots spread over a sphere so as to display in all their affinities, 

 resemblances, and analogies, the unity of plan which existed in the 

 mind of the ONE CREATOR, rather than the necessity that we should 

 consider His creatures descended from a few main typesl 



We take leave of Mr. Bentham's ' Handbook' with a ready ac- 

 knowledgment of the many novelties which he has introduced for 

 the first time to the English student of botany, and with the hope 

 (not without considerable misgiving) that his book may be found as 

 useful a guide to the beginner as could be wished by its accom- 

 plished author. 



May it induce many to enter the ranks of the votaries of our 

 gentle and instructive craft ; for indeed there is work and pleasure 

 enough for all. 



First Traces of Life on the Earth ; or, the Fossils of the Bottom-rocks. 

 By S. J. MACKIE, F.G.S. &c. Groombridge, 1860. 



THE study of Geology introduces us to many different stages in the 

 Earth's history, where we may behold more or less distinctly the 

 several successive phases which this planet has, time after time, put 

 on. The masters in the science, the professional geologists, and the 

 amateurs have all contributed to the accumulation of the facts and 

 the construction of the theories whereof the science now consists, 

 and by the aid of which the graphic portraiture of the earths's earlier 



